A Conservative MP complained about a regional newspaper report that his son was emigrating to Australia after being allegedly assaulted by him.

Craig Whittaker, MP for Calder Valley, said the story in the Halifax Courier failed to make clear that his son had been planning to emigrate anyway.

Mr Whittaker told the Press Complaints Commission that readers would be misled into thinking his son’s move was connected to the alleged incident.

The complaint was resolved when the PCC negotiated the publication of a clarification headed: ‘MP’s son planned to leave UK before alleged attack.’

It read:  “The Courier reported on February 4 that Lee Whittaker was planning to emigrate to Australia.

“This followed a report of the arrest of his father, Calder Valley MP Craig Whittaker, on Boxing Day, on suspicion of assaulting his son.

“We have been asked to point out Lee Whittaker was planning to emigrate before the alleged attack and not as a result of it.

“We apologise if any reader assumed the two matters were connected and are happy to set the record straight.”